Summer Hiking the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee

Some of the best hiking my husband and I have ever done was in the Great Smoky Mountains of east Tennessee. These beautiful mountains offer some of the most exquisite scenery available during both spring and summer! Starting in spring the mountain sides burst into life with gorgeous colorful azaleas and rhododendrons. The waterfall trails are a must during the summer, offering the most breathtaking views you can imagine. Below are just a few of the many hiking trails available throughout the Great Smoky Mountains. The mileage shown is calculated as round trip hikes.

Grotto-2.4 miles-Moderate: It Is Located Off the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. The Hike is through a hemlock forest. Grotto Falls is the only waterfall in the park where one can actually walk behind it.

Laurel-2.5 miles-Easy: Laurel Falls is one of the easiest waterfall hikes on the Tennessee side of the park. The trail is paved and cuts through the middle of the cascades. This waterfall has a height of 60 feet.

Rainbow-5.5 miles-Moderate to Strenuous: This is one of the highest waterfalls coming in at close to 80 feet. It is a beautiful fall, but the hike can be some what challenging for the novice or small children.

Rich Mountain-8.0 mile loop-Strenuous: This trail begins on the right, just before the entrance to the one-way loop road. If you prefer quiet and isolation, than this is the trail for you. This trail offers beautiful views of Cades Cove and many chances to to get a glimpse of the wild life. Again quite a strenuous hike.

Andrews Bald-4.4 miles-Moderate: This hike heads downslope to a bald where you can see beautiful views that open to the south of Fontana Lake, and during the spring this is the perfect trail for capturing the colorful azaleas at their best!

Chimney Tops-4.0 miles-Strenuous: Now If you think your tough enough, try out this steep climb to two rock spires 4,755 ft in elevation as described by the National Park.. I hear it has a spectacular 360-degree view, although I mustmit I have not hiked it!

Now as with any hiking be sure you are properly equipped and well informed. These are some very important items as well as information you will need. Obviously you will want to be sure to wear the appropriate shoes. Be sure to carry a small first aid kit, which should also include insect repellent. Before you hike find out the current weather forecast. Be sure to bring a small flashlight and to check the batteries! Always carry ample water with you. Last and very, very important always hike with another person and let someone know your route and intended return time. Be sure to bring your camera, so you can capture the beauty around you!

Below are a few facts and statistics you may find interesting.
There are approximately 9,000,000 visitors per year.

Great Smoky Mountain National Park has over 4,000 species of plants that grow there.

Gross Area Acres - 521,621.15
A total of 65 mammals live in the Park. Some, such as the coyote and bobcat are reclusive while deer are very common. There are opportunities to see red and gray squirrels, chipmunks, woodchucks, raccoons, opossums, red and gray foxes, skunks, and bats. Most common to the Cades Cove area of the park are, the only feline natives, the bobcats and mountain lions. Bobcats still live in the cove. They usually eat small game, but will kill small deer. Bobcats grow up to three feet in length and weigh up to 20 pounds. They are nocturnal and very seldom seen. Only black bears live in the Park. About 600 bears roam the Park, and many consider Cades Cove their home. The Park has one of the country's highest bear densities.

More about black bears.
Although there is no one best place to see bears in the Park, Cades Cove and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail have been among the best places to look. Bears are usually most active early in the morning and late in the evening. Their food intake is 85% plant material. They obtain most of their protein from insects, but occasionally eat fish, fawns, or other small animals.

On the small chance of encountering an aggressive black bear the best action is make a lot of noise (a whistle works well), and slowly retreat. Only when between a mother and her cubs, or when dealing with a hungry, human-fed bear are they dangerous. Bears are excellent climbers, so climbing a tree is ineffective. Playing dead does not work either, since dead animals are part of the black bears' diet. However, few dangerous bear situations occur.

It is very important to abide by all of the rules set by the National Park. They are for your safety and the safety of others as well as for the animals and plant life who inhabit the area.

For further information, details or directions please contact:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738 or Phone: 865-436-1200